Convenience opening bottle closure

ABSTRACT

The invention disclosed is a convenience opening closure for a glass bottle having an outwardly flared neck and bead at the finish of the bottle. This is often called a &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;cruet&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; finish. A plastic inner closure snaps over the finish and has an outwardly and downwardly tapering circular skirt. A metal cap fits over the plastic closure and the skirt of the cap has a lesser taper to force the plastic skirt to seal the finish of the bottle. The inner skirt wall of the outer cap has threads or projections which cooperate with the skirt of the plastic closure. The plastic skirt may have pre-formed threads engaging the threads of the metal cap. In another form, the plastic skirt has a plain outer surface and the interference fit of the threaded metal cap skirt compresses the plastic skirt sealing the inner cap on the bottle and pressing threads in the plastic. Cap removal is by unscrewing the outer cap from the plastic cap and unsnapping the plastic cap from the bottle finish.

O Umted States Patent [151 3,659,736 Riggs 51 May 2, 1972 s41CONVENIENCE OPENING BOTTLE 350,209 12/1960 Switzerland ..215/4o CLOSURE419.876 3/1967 Switzerland ..2l5/40 [72] Inventor: Darius Orley Riggs,Ottawa Lake, Mich. Primary Examlner M Henson wood [73] Assignee:Owens-Illinois, Inc. Assistant Examiner-Thomas C. Culp, Jr.

Attorney-J. R. Nelson and E. .l. Holler [22] Filed: Nov. 20, 1970 21Appl. No.: 91,292 [571 ABSTRACT The invention disclosed is a convenienceopening closure for a [52] U.S. Cl ..215/40 glass bottle having anoutwardly flared neck and bead at the [51] m "365, 23/00 finish of thebottle. This is often called a "cruet finish. A 58 Field of Search..215/41,4o P inner closure Snaps the finish and has wardly anddownwardly tapering circular skirt. A metal cap 56] References Citedfits over the plastic closure and the skirt of the cap has a lessertaper to force the plastic skirt to seal the finish of the bottle.UNITED STATES PATENTS The inner skin wall of the outer cap has threadsor projections which cooperate with the skin of the plastic closure. The2 22,3; 3x33? 2222:" ..21s/4o plastic skin may have preformed threadsengaging the 28l7453 l2/l957 l threads of the metal cap. In anotherform, the plastic skin has 320480l 9H9 Switz a plain outer surface andthe interference fit of the threaded 3439'825 4/1969 Glensiy metal capskin compresses the plastic skin sealing the inner 3 460 701 8/1969Powalow ski etal .215/41 x cap and messing threads in Plasfic Capremoval is by unscrewing the outer cap from the plastic cap FOREIGNPATENTS QR APPLICATIONS and unsnapping the plastic cap from the bottlefinish.

442,164 1 1/1948 Italy ..2l5/40 11 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PatentedMay 2, 1972 2 Sheets-Sheet l FIG.

INVENTOR. Dmcms Ow @ms 8% CONVENIENCE OPENING some CLOSURE CONVENIENCEOPENING BOTTLE CLOSURE The present invention relates to a two-piececlosure for bottles in sealing pressurized product such as beer andcarbonated beverages.

The invention is best suited for a beaded finish, an example of which isshown on the appended drawings as a so-called Cruet Bottle Finish.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Containers for pressure generating productsare desirably sealed by a convenience opening closure, i.e., one whichthe user may readily remove by hand without the aid of special tools oropening devices. One of the more desirable types of convenience openingclosure is the twist-ofi type wherein the user merely unscrews the capand removes it from the bottle finish.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention has as one of its objects theprovision of a twist-off closure for a bottle finish that has no threadsformed on the bottle finish, yet is suitable to seal and package apressurized product like beer or a carbonated beverage.

The invention has as another object the provision of a nested two-piececap that may be pre-assembled for delivery of the two pieces as a unitto the bottle at the capper, thereby avoiding handling the two pieces ofthe closure in sequence and separately.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a closure for acruet type finish usable for packaging product including pressurized andnon-pressurized product, such as salad dressing, for example, and whichmay further provide a pourout fitment on the container after the outercap is removed.

In summary, the objects above-stated, as well as other objects andadvantages are attained by a two-piece closure. The inner plasticclosure is formed to snap over the bead of a finish and includes acircular skirt portion with a sealing bead on the inner wall surface andan outwardly downwardly tapering circular wall of considerable slope.The plastic cap may be initially nestingly pre-assembled loosely in ametal cap having a slightly downwardly and outwardly tapering circularskirt. The lower edge of the skirt is rolled to provide a circularflange for retaining the inner plastic cap in preassembled relationship.

The one form of the invention comprises a metal outer cap havingthread-like projections about the inner wall of the major height of theskirt and the outer wall of the plastic snap cap skirt is of adeformible, resilient plastic. In closing the container, the closureassembly is placed over the bottle finish and a capping head forces theassembly onto the finish so that the plastic cap snaps over the head ofthe finish. Further movement of the capping head forces the outer metalcap along the inner plastic cap skirt. Since the inner cap skirt isoutwardly tapered to a greater degree than the taper of the metal cap,these annular surfaces combine in their relative telescopic movement toseal the inner cap on a surface of the bottle finish and form threads bycompression forces in the plastic cap skirt that will cooperate with thethreads of the metal outer cap for twist-off removal of the closure.This is the axial press embodiment of the closure adapted forreciprocated capping units.

Another form of the invention is the twist-on embodiment of the closureadapted for rotary capping units. In this form the outer wall surface ofthe plastic cap skirt has threads molded thereon. These will match thethreads on the inner wall of the metal cap skirt. The capper lowers theclosure onto the bottle finish until the plastic cap snaps over theglass bead and next the capper rotates the outer cap. The threads turnthe outer cap onto the plastic inner cap and due to the difference intaper, the outer cap compresses the skirt of the plastic cap so as toseal the inner bead thereof on the glass below the finish bead. therebysealing the container.

The closure of either embodiment is removed by unscrewing the outer caprelative to the inner plastic cap, thereby releasing the inner snap capfor convenient hand removal.

The closure is reusable for again sealing the container manually byreplacing the plastic snap cap and screwing the outer metal cap onto it.

Lugs may be provided on the glass finish or neck of the bottle to engageeither a projection or a notch of the plastic cap and hold this capagainst rotation on the bottle while screwing or unscrewing the outermetal cap thereon.

The selection of materials in the composition of the plastic captogether with coatings on the cooperating surfaces of the metal cap willprovide a means of regulating friction coefiicients and torque removalof the closure. Thread design is a further factor in regulating torqueremoval.

An optional embodiment of the invention is the provision of a downwardlyprojecting tab from the edge of the plastic skirt to assist removal ofthe closure from the bottle finish.

The inner plastic snap cap may be either a full snap cap having a toppanel enclosing the mouth of the bottle, or, alternatively, the plasticcap may be a ring cap having an opening opposite a portion or all of themouth area of the bottle. The ring snap-on cap may be designed toprovide a pour-out fitment or dispensing fitment, in which case it neednot be removed from the bottle in use.

Other and further objects and advantages of this invention will beapparent from the following description when taken in connection withthe accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational fragmentary view, partly in section,showing one embodiment of the closure of the invention as assembly on aglass bottle finish is initiated;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view, like FIG. 1, showing the closure incapped relationship on the bottle finish;

FIG. 3 is an exploded elevational view, partly in section, showing asecond embodiment of the closure of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the second embodiment, partly insection, illustrating the stages of assembling the closure on a bottlefinish.

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4, showing the second embodiment of theclosure in assembly on the bottle finish.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary side elevational view, partly in section, of athird embodiment of the closure of the invention illustrating a pour-outliner fitment and metal outer cap.

Referring to the drawings, FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate the first embodimentof the invention. A glass container 10 having a cruet-type finishcomprised of a neck 11 that is upwardly and outwardly flared to a toprim or bead l2 defining the mouth opening of bottle 10.

The closure comprises an inner snap cap 13 molded of plastic material,such as polyethylene. Cap 13 has a top panel portion 14 that is flaredupwardly and outwardly to a comer radius 15 and a downwardly andoutwardly tapering skirt wall 16. The sections 14, 15 and 16 define anannular groove 17 that circumscribes top surface of bead 12. The bead 12and neck wall 11 adjacent the bead comprise the bottle finish thatloosely fits in the annular grooved portion 17 of cap 13. An enlargedflange 18 is formed at the annular free end of skirt 16 of cap 13. Thisflange 18 has an inwardly extending bead 19 curved into the inner skirtwall to provide an annular sealing surface of cap 13 on the outerdownward taper of the wall 12 of bottle 10. Flange 18 of cap 13 includesan outwardly projecting annular boss or bead 20 designed to cooperatewith the stepped section 21 of skirt 22 of a metal outer cap 23, as willbe presently described.

Outer cap 23 is made of relatively rigid metal, such as tinplate, and isstamped or otherwise formed to include a depressed top panel 24 that isflared upwardly and outwardly to the packing groove 25 thereof definedannularly adjacent the comer radius 26. The outer perimeter of cap 23 isformed by skirt 22 merged into radius 26 and extending downwardly at aslight outward taper to the step section 21. Beyond step section 21 inthe skirt wall is a straight downwardly depending wall 27 ending withthe inwardly curled wire 28. Step 21. wall 27 and wire 28 form a pocketor means for retaining cap 13 by its flange 18 in telescopic looseassembly with outer cap 23.

The tapered wall of skirt 22 is provided with helical threadsprojections 29. The inner cap 13 is thus carried in the outer cap 23 sothat the skirt wall 16 exterior is out of contact with threads 29. Theclosure assembly is fed to a reciprocating capping head device (notshown) and carried onto the bottle finish rim 12 the relative positionof the parts on FIG. 1. The capping head thereafter is forced in a shortdownward stroke to move the cap assembly to the closure position of HG.2 whereat the groove 17 of cap 13 is compressed over the top rim of thebottle and the skirt flange 18 of cap 13 is compressed such that bead 19of the skirt seals along the sloped side surface of the bottle finishbelow the head 12.

In the FIG. 2 position, outer cap 23 has applied to it by the cappinghead a downward force, represented by arrow D, and a radial force,represented by arrow R. The downstroke of the capper thus forces cap 13into sealing engagement with the bottle finish at both top sealing andside sealing surfaces, but, moreover, the threads 29 on skirt 22 biteinto and compress the plastic of skirt wall 16 of cap 13. The plastic,in this case polyethylene, receives a set to imprint helical threadimpressions in skirt 16 matching threads 29 of the metal cap.

For removal of the closure from bottle 10, outer cap 23 is twisted tounscrew threads 29 from the threads impressed on the outer wall of skirt16 of inner cap 13. By unscrewing cap 23 it is lifted to approximatelythe position of FIG. ll whereat the closure is lifted from the bottlefinish. Should the outer cap separate from cap 13, the latter isunsnapped from bead 12 of the bottle finish by lifting one section ofthe annular flange 18 of cap 13.

The closure just described is designed to seal liquids, and, especiallywill seal liquid under pressure, such as beer and beverage packages. Theclosure does have utility for sealing dry products, such as drugs orpowders. This closure provides a good hermetic seal for dry products notattained heretofore by a standard plastic snap cap; yet, the closure isa convenience opening type.

The second embodiment of the invention is shown on FIGS. 3-5. The bottleis a similar cruet finish container. The snap type inner cap 13 includesa top panel 14' joining the skirt 16 at comer radius The skirt 16'includes a downwardly depending tab 30 and peripherally spaced radiallyinwardly extending lugs 3]. Lugs 31 cooperate with one or more outwardlyprojecting lugs 32 on the neck of bottle 10.

Outer cap 23' has a downwardly and outwardly tapering skirt 22 andhelical threads 29 formed therealong. The skirt 16 of cap 13' haspre-molded threads 33 that correspond with and mesh on threads 29' ofcap 23'. The caps 23' and 13 are held in assembly by engagement of thethreads 29', 33. The capping head device, in the present closureembodiment, may be a rotary capper which lowers the assembly to snap cap13' onto bead 12 of the bottle finish and thereat rotate the outer cap23 in threading it onto the skirt of cap 13. The lugs 31 will engagelugs 32 of the glass bottle, held stationary, to cause relative rotationbetween outer cap 23 and cap 13'. in the fully assembled position ofFIG. 5, the loose fitting taper of the skirt wall 16' of snap cap 13' iscompressed to the sealing engagement of FIGS. 4 and 5. This isaccomplished by turning the outer metal cap threads 29 onto the threads33 of the plastic cap 13'. Sealing head 19 is moved inwardly intoengagement with the undercut surface of the finish bead 12. A top andside seal is made on the bead finish 12.

The third embodiment of the invention is illustrated by FIG. 6 in whicha ring snap cap 40 of plastic material, such as polyethylene, is used.Cap 40 has an inner contour defining a ring groove 41 to snap firmlyover head 12 of the glass finish. Below groove 41 is an annular bead 42along the inner wall of the cap skirt 43. The outer wall surface ofskirt 43 has premolded helical threads 44. At the upper corner of cap 40is an outwardly flared pouring lip 45. In assembly, cap 40 is snapped onfinish bead 12 and outer cap 23' laid over it so that threads 44 andskirt threads 29' of the metal cap are engaged.

Turning the outer cap 23' threads it onto the ring cap 40 to achievedouble sealing the container. The first seal is between the annular bead42 and the undercut of bead 12 of the glass finish. The second seal ismade between the inner cap 40 at pouring lip 45 and the underside of thetop of outer cap 23'.

Outer cap 23' is removable upon unscrewing it from the ring capsufficiently to loosen the assembly. The outer cap is then lifted andplastic ring cap 40 stays in place on the finish to function as a pourout fitment. Oily liquids, such as salad dressing, oils or the like, maybe poured over the lip end 45 with satisfactory non-drip results.

Having illustrated and described several practical embodiments of theinvention, the scope of the invention is set forth in the appendedclaims.

I claim:

1. The combination comprising a glass container having a glass finishdefining a mouth opening for the container and providing an annularsealing surface, a plastic closure overlying the glass finish andincluding a circular depending skirt disposed along the annular sealingsurface, the Wall of said skirt being relatively resilient anddeformable, and a metal cap overlying the plastic closure whichcomprises a top panel over said mouth opening, a downwardly dependingannular skirt and an interconnecting radius portion disposed annularlybetween said skirt and the periphery of said top panel, the skirt havingon its inner surface a series of thread-like projections, the metal capbeing forced axially over the plastic closure and the skirt of said capcompressing the wall of the skirt of the plastic closure correspondinglyto fit tightly with said thread-like projections of said cap skirt,thereby holding the cap and closure on the container finish andsealingly engaging the closure tightly along said sealing surfacethereof.

2. The combination of claim 1, wherein the thread-like projections ofthe metal cap inner wall are helical threads which in tight assemblywith said closure skirt impress similar helical threads thereon, the capbeing removed from the closure by unscrewing the former from the latter,thereby releasing the closure from sealing engagement with the containerfinish.

3. The combination of claim 1, wherein the container includes abead-type finish having a downwardly and inwardly tapering undercutannular sealing surface and the closure comprises a plastic snap caphaving a top panel for closing the container mouth and a downwardlydepending skirt having an inwardly tapering sealing surface compressibleagainst said sealing surface by said metal cap in a downwardly pressedassembled position.

4. The combination of claim 3, wherein the closure includes a downwardlydepending tab at the edge of the skirt for hand removal of the closurefrom the finish after the cap is removed.

5. The combination of claim 1, wherein the closure includes an annularring and downwardly depending skirt, said ring and skirt extending overthe surface of the container finish and providing an aperturetherethrough opposite the mouth of the container.

6. The combination of claim 2, wherein the outer surface of the skirt ofsaid closure has preformed helical threads corresponding to the threadson the inner wall surface of the cap skirt.

7. The combination of claim 2, including an interference lug on thecontainer disposed below the glass finish thereon and a correspondinginterference lug on the closure skirt engageable with said finish lug,said lug engaging and coacting upon unscrewing the metal cap to restrainthe closure against rotation on said finish.

8. A closure for sealing the mouth opening of a rigid container about afinish on the latter, comprising a cup-shaped inner cap member ofpliable plastic material including a top panel portion and downwardlydepending annular skirt, the panel and skirt connected by an annularradius portion, and an outer cap member of a relatively rigid materialhaving a top panel, downwardly tapering depending annular skirt wall andannular radius portion interconnecting the top panel and skirt,

thread projections formed on the inner surface of said skirt wall, theouter surface of the inner cap skirt being downwardly and outwardlytapered, the outward taper of said inner skirt being of a greater degreethan the taper of the outer cap skirt to provide a normal interferencefit in telescopic assembly of 5 the inner and outer cap members toimpress the thread projections into the skirt of the inner skirt andpress the latter into sealing engagement with said finish of thecontainer, and a retaining ring on the outer cap skirt engaging theinner cap skirt and holding the inner and outer caps together as aclosure assembly when the inner cap is in relaxed condition.

9. The closure of claim g, wherein the retaining ring comprises anin-turned lower edge of the outer cap skirt and the skirt of the innercap includes an outwardly projecting annular bead in the proximity ofthe lower end of the skirt thereof, said bead being of a greater maximumdiameter than the minimum diameter of said in-turned edge of the outercap skirt in said relaxed telescopic assembly of said inner cap in saidouter cap.

10. The closure of claim 9, wherein the thread projections on the innerwall of the outer cap skirt are helical threads and are of a lesserdiameter than the outer wall diameter of the inner cap skirt along itstapered portion, said threads compressing the inner cap skirt againstthe container finish and impressing corresponding thread impressions inthe inner cap skirt wall upon telescopic relative movement over thecontainer finish in sealing the mouth opening of the container.

ll 1. The closure of claim 8, wherein the outer cap includes a raisedannular ring formation at the outer periphery of the top panel adjacentsaid radius portion and the inner portion of the top panel is depresseddownwardly therefrom, said raised annular ring defining a packing groovefor compressing the top panel portion of the inner cap onto a topsealing ring of the container finish.

1. The combination comprising a glass container having a glass finishdefining a mouth opening for the container and providing an annularsealing surface, a plastic closure overlying the glass finish andincluding a circular depending skirt disposed along the annular sealingsurface, the wall of said skirt being relatively resilient anddeformable, and a metal cap overlying the plastic closure whichcomprises a top panel over said mouth opening, a downwardly dependingannular skirt and an interconnecting radius portion disposed annularlybetween said skirt and the periphery of said top panel, the skirt havingon its inner surface a series of thread-like projections, the metal capbeing forced axially over the plastic closure and the skirt of said capcompressing the wall of the skirt of the plastic closure correspondinglyto fiT tightly with said thread-like projections of said cap skirt,thereby holding the cap and closure on the container finish andsealingly engaging the closure tightly along said sealing surfacethereof.
 2. The combination of claim 1, wherein the thread-likeprojections of the metal cap inner wall are helical threads which intight assembly with said closure skirt impress similar helical threadsthereon, the cap being removed from the closure by unscrewing the formerfrom the latter, thereby releasing the closure from sealing engagementwith the container finish.
 3. The combination of claim 1, wherein thecontainer includes a bead-type finish having a downwardly and inwardlytapering undercut annular sealing surface and the closure comprises aplastic snap cap having a top panel for closing the container mouth anda downwardly depending skirt having an inwardly tapering sealing surfacecompressible against said sealing surface by said metal cap in adownwardly pressed assembled position.
 4. The combination of claim 3,wherein the closure includes a downwardly depending tab at the edge ofthe skirt for hand removal of the closure from the finish after the capis removed.
 5. The combination of claim 1, wherein the closure includesan annular ring and downwardly depending skirt, said ring and skirtextending over the surface of the container finish and providing anaperture therethrough opposite the mouth of the container.
 6. Thecombination of claim 2, wherein the outer surface of the skirt of saidclosure has preformed helical threads corresponding to the threads onthe inner wall surface of the cap skirt.
 7. The combination of claim 2,including an interference lug on the container disposed below the glassfinish thereon and a corresponding interference lug on the closure skirtengageable with said finish lug, said lug engaging and coacting uponunscrewing the metal cap to restrain the closure against rotation onsaid finish.
 8. A closure for sealing the mouth opening of a rigidcontainer about a finish on the latter, comprising a cup-shaped innercap member of pliable plastic material including a top panel portion anddownwardly depending annular skirt, the panel and skirt connected by anannular radius portion, and an outer cap member of a relatively rigidmaterial having a top panel, downwardly tapering depending annular skirtwall and annular radius portion interconnecting the top panel and skirt,thread projections formed on the inner surface of said skirt wall, theouter surface of the inner cap skirt being downwardly and outwardlytapered, the outward taper of said inner skirt being of a greater degreethan the taper of the outer cap skirt to provide a normal interferencefit in telescopic assembly of the inner and outer cap members to impressthe thread projections into the skirt of the inner skirt and press thelatter into sealing engagement with said finish of the container, and aretaining ring on the outer cap skirt engaging the inner cap skirt andholding the inner and outer caps together as a closure assembly when theinner cap is in relaxed condition.
 9. The closure of claim 8, whereinthe retaining ring comprises an in-turned lower edge of the outer capskirt and the skirt of the inner cap includes an outwardly projectingannular bead in the proximity of the lower end of the skirt thereof,said bead being of a greater maximum diameter than the minimum diameterof said in-turned edge of the outer cap skirt in said relaxed telescopicassembly of said inner cap in said outer cap.
 10. The closure of claim9, wherein the thread projections on the inner wall of the outer capskirt are helical threads and are of a lesser diameter than the outerwall diameter of the inner cap skirt along its tapered portion, saidthreads compressing the inner cap skirt against the container finish andimpressing corresponding thread impressions in the inner cap skirt wallupon telescopic relative movement over the container finish in sealingthe mouth opening of the container.
 11. The closure of claim 8, whereinthe outer cap includes a raised annular ring formation at the outerperiphery of the top panel adjacent said radius portion and the innerportion of the top panel is depressed downwardly therefrom, said raisedannular ring defining a packing groove for compressing the top panelportion of the inner cap onto a top sealing ring of the containerfinish.